NHLers diss Phaneuf as overrated

Overrated? You want overrated, Dion Phaneuf will tell you about overrated.

Normally scowling, Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf has a big smile and laugh near the end of practice on March 22, 2010.

By:Paul HunterSports Reporter, Published on Thu Apr 01 2010

Overrated? You want overrated, Dion Phaneuf will tell you about overrated.

Overrated is the emphasis onlookers put on goals – his goals; the ones that total zero since he arrived in Toronto 21 games ago – when the only thing that really matters to him is whether his Maple Leafs are improving and winning.

What also doesn't matter to Phaneuf is a Sports Illustrated player poll that ranks him as the Most Overrated Player in the NHL. In its latest edition, the magazine asked 272 players in the league to name the player whose reputation exceeds their performance.

Phaneuf ran away with the title, capturing 21 per cent of the vote. Next was the Rangers' Wade Redden with 7 per cent followed by Montreal's Scott Gomez with 6 per cent. Fourth and fifth were Sean Avery, also of the Rangers, and Edmonton's Shawn Horcoff, both at 5 per cent.

"Everyone's got their own opinion," said a non-plussed Phaneuf after the Leafs' practice on Wednesday.

Does it bother you?

"No, not one bit," said the defenceman. "That players don't like playing against me, is that what it is? It comes with the territory of being a well-known player. Everyone has their own opinion and I respect that. To be honest with you, it doesn't hurt my feelings any."

Presumably, since there is no time reference on the poll, it was taken with the memory of Phaneuf's Calgary struggles still fresh. As SI points out, Phaneuf was on the ice for more opposition goals (122) than any other player last season. Given that he doesn't lack self-confidence, there are undoubtedly players around the league delighting in knocking him down a peg or two.

But in Toronto, the 24-year-old has mostly lived up to his billing, providing both leadership and solid work in his own end that has helped the Leafs tighten their defensive game.

The one thing element missing, however, is offence. For a guy who had 20 goals in his rookie campaign and followed that with seasons of 17, 17 and 11, the drought was unexpected. Phaneuf has been stuck on 10 since arriving from the Flames on Jan. 31. That despite 69 shots on net and ample time on the power play.

"The bottom-line is we've been playing good hockey as a team and to be completely honest with you, I'd rather us win hockey games and me score less goals than me score more goals and us not win as many games," said Phaneuf.

"To say that in better wording, I'd rather have less goals and make the playoffs than have more goals and not make the playoffs."

The Leafs are going to miss the playoffs this season whether Phaneuf scores or not but his point is understood. Toronto is 11-8-2 since he arrived in town on the same day as goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere and forward Fredrik Sjostrom. They were 17-28-11 before that remake.

"I've gone through it before," Phaneuf said of his slump. "Am I happy not scoring? No."

Phaneuf's lack of production is, in part, because opposing teams know he has a booming shot from the point and they're giving him little room to get it off or rushing him when he does. Toronto coach Ron Wilson said that may force Phaneuf to make some adjustments.

"He might have to change up a few things if other teams are focusing on taking away his shot; moving and getting himself in different positions," said Wilson. "I think that's what lots of guys do over the course of their career."

"I think I'm a little surprised that the puck hasn't gone in but it's not for lack of effort or anything like that. I don't want him to compromise what he does defensively."

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